Welcome to L'Ours et Son Petit Oiseau (The Bear and his Little Bird), set in 5 acres with views over a wild valley, run with deer and wildlife.
You could choose to sit, unwind, relax in a hammock, soak in the wood-fired hot tub or get to know the many animals who also call this place home. Cicadas and birds sing to the setting sun, and there's not a human soul for miles...
The space
A traditional Longére of the South West, now lovingly renovated, complete with its original French charm. It’s very old, but we have no idea how old.
The elegant lounge is a good social space with a comfortable sofa and dining table. Windows in both directions make it bright by day, and a big wood stove brings cosy winter nights.
Stairs lead to the master bedroom with a luxury en-suite bathroom and Romeo and Juliet balcony overlooking the gardens.
Upstairs, a writer’s lounge with vaulted ceiling can double as a bedroom with en-suite. This leads through to the final bedroom with its own roll-top bath.
A well-equipped kitchen includes a dishwasher and large fridge freezer.
The dogs will ask you politely to throw their ball and you can get to know the dwarf goats, sheep and pigs. Chickens wander round all day supervising, and you can help yourself to eggs.
The back door leads to your own terrace for alfresco dining, hot tub, comfortable chairs, hammocks and of course, the view. The property stretches to the bottom of the valley and you are free to explore beyond. All around, there are walks through woods and meadows and past fields of sunflowers.
There is no light pollution here. The nights are dark and the stars clear and dramatic.
Guest access
Guests are welcome to enjoy the whole property.
Other things to note
You can share our journey and see more of the house and projects on Channel 4's ‘A New Life in the Sun’, Series 5, Episodes 11-15.
We offer two 3-bed holiday homes each with their own private entrance and terrace. Other guests may be staying next door. The two can be combined to be a 6 bedroom home : www.www.airbnb.com/h/bearsnbirds
ANIMALS
You will be staying on a working farm and animal sanctuary. As our guest, you are our priority. We ask that you to let us know about anything that is not the way you want it to be - so that we can put it right. Animals don't get eaten, by the way.
The dogs run free. They can be boisterous. Please tell us if you need them to be put away or if you are at all nervous. Children with the dogs must be supervised by an adult.
Please, please, please, please, CHECK WITH US BEFORE FEEDING ANY ANIMAL. They all have individual, managed diets. The dogs will tell you otherwise, but please don't listen to them.
HEATING
If you are visiting in colder months, the house is heated by a wood stove in the lounge, warming radiators in the bedrooms. You'll need to carry logs from just outside and tend the fire regularly. If you are out for the day, it can be turned down low to be warm on your return. You can find out more about running the stove in the house manual. We will explain fully on arrival - tell us if you are familiar with a wood stove.
HOT TUB/NORWEGIAN BATH
The perfect place to lie and experience the milky way, or enjoy your breakfast! The tub is available April to October and sometimes in other months by special arrangement. Depending on the season, it can take half a day and 40kg of logs to heat.
We will light it with you and show you how to tend it, so it gets to the right temperature. It will need tending every 20 minutes for the first hour, and then every hour after that. This is free.
Alternatively, by special request, we can prepare it for you. Just climb in, lay back and enjoy the bottle of fizz that we'll serve. Prices vary according to the time of year and work involved.
Enjoy your holiday! It is the most important thing of all...
